TEST METHODS

Most plants were in five-gallon containers, except the grass and sedge which were in one-gallon containers. Each plant species was assigned a group (A through H). Each plant was assigned a number within the group. One or two plants of each species were lightly treated with pre-mixed Roundup and one or two plants of each species had water withheld to simulate drought. The plants had not been watered over the previous weekend. Starting on July 14th the plants not being tested for drought stress were watered daily. The evaluators did not know which plants were being stressed.

Evaluation was based on a comparison of other plants within the same group but not between groups. Each plant was recorded as having no change, minor/slight change, or obvious changes (assigned values of 0, 1, or 2, respectively). There were some initial observable differences due to the natural variation in plants and the fact that there were dead or dying leaves or branches on some plants. The test was started immediately after initial treatment at a time when none of the treatment effects would be showing up. This allowed for natural variation to be recorded and changes evaluated from these base observations. The testing was terminated after four days because the effects of the herbicide treatments were fully evident. The effects of drought stress were evident in the least drought resistant plants in the larger containers and in the small plant containers (dry out more quickly). The most drought resistant plants did not show much evidence of stress but it was felt that there was enough data for purposes of the test.